I felt relieved when I received Cayden's text. Knowing she felt the same way as I did, made me feel immensely better. While I was still upset with her actions, I know I said some things that took the situation too far—but she also said some things that were questionable. Both of us messed up, and we both had things to take up for. I was very clear on that.

The ride from SoHo to the upper east side felt longer than it ever had. I felt myself recircling back to things I should bring up when talking to her about all of this. Does she still want to side with Zera? How close is their friendship? Have they been friends the whole time?

It was like a rehearsal. Like I was rehearsing all the key points I needed to make. I also knew I needed to take up for walking away from the trust issue topic and suggesting I stayed somewhere else. I can't expect Cayden to read my mind and save me, especially when I basically pushed her away.

Walking into the familiar condominium, I felt on edge. I hoped we could fix all of this. I didn't want to lose Cayden.

God, I should've never thrown the drink... I should've just walked away. It honestly didn't even matter—what Zera said was her personal opinion and I took it too personally as if it were my opinion too.

Maybe she was playing on my insecurities? Maybe it was internalized.

When I entered the condo, the familiar spiced cologne that Cayden wore filled my nose—almost making me grow sentimental. I missed her entirely too much, and... a part of me wondered if this is it.

Being without her completely for even a day, made me realize how much I want her in my life. And knowing we ended that tense conversation so badly also ate me up inside. I seriously want to backtrack and take it all back, but I know that's not how Cayden works. She takes small things a little more seriously than most people and I know she's going to want to have an in-depth conversation about this. Especially regarding my trust and where it's at with her.

Cayden was seated at the kitchen island, wearing her usual sweatshirt and matching sweatpants while her dark hair was pulled back into a tight low bun. The sight of her made my heart ache. I really missed her. Her Macbook was out as she typed, which easily ceased when she noticed my presence.

It's like I had everything to say, but couldn't force anything out. The air felt tense and awkward between us and I didn't know our dynamic yet.

She stood from her chair, making her way over to me. My heart thudded in my chest as she walked closer to me, a neutral expression on her face.

But when her arms wrapped around me and pulled me into a hug, a giant wave crashed down on me. Nostalgia.

I leaned further into her, wrapping my arms tighter around her torso as I buried my face into her chest. My eyes grew damp with tears, causing me to cling even tighter to her.

"I never want to fight again," Cayden said, her tone gentle and low. "I missed you so much, Vi."

My heart twisted in my chest, happy to hear her say those words—the same words that I felt so deeply in my heart. It felt reassuring to know she felt the same way.

"I missed you too," I said, wiping my stray tears away as she pulled back from the hug slightly.

Cayden frowned, her dark eyes staring down at me. "Please don't cry," she said, wiping any remaining tears with her thumb.

I pursed my lips, shaking my head. "Are we... okay?"

Cayden frowned deeper, as if she never once contemplated us breaking up. "Of course—I mean we clearly need to talk, but I'd never want to end things with you over something like this," she said. "I love you."

My breathing regained its pace, my anxiousness fading away slowly. "I love you too."

Cayden guided us both over to the couch, sitting down and helping me onto her lap. I straddled her, resting my hands on her shoulders. I already felt so content within five minutes of being in her presence.

"I first want to say I'm sorry for taking Zera's side. I didn't see it as choosing sides, but I know it came off that way," she said, gently rubbing her hands up and down the tops of my thighs. "It genuinely could've been anyone else, and I would've felt the same way. You know how I feel about handling things in that manner, Vi. Truthfully for me, it was about keeping your composure even when someone said something out of line. And drink-throwing to me was just not necessary."

Before I could counteract it or even agree with her, she spoke again. "However, I've realized that we handle things in two different ways which is okay... I can try to be more understanding if there's ever a similar situation, but I do ask that you at least try a little harder not to escalate a situation to that level?"

I didn't hesitate to nod, feeling like that was a fair ask and compromise. "Okay. Yeah, that sounds fair," I said, hesitating about what I was planning on bringing up next. In the end, I knew it needed to be addressed. "So... about Zera. You guys are friends?"

Cayden shook her head. "Not friends. We're only cordial. Like I said a while ago, she was blurring the lines and I had to set down boundaries. Those boundaries are still there, yes, but we did remain cordial, which basically means there are no hard feelings," she said, her eyes analyzing my face. I could tell she wasn't satisfied with my reaction when she spoke again. "We don't talk at all, Vi. It's just a way of saying we're not angry at each other just because we dated and it didn't work out. And I find it better that way as opposed to holding such negative feelings directed towards her."

I sighed. I felt surprisingly better with her explanation. Knowing it wasn't considered a friendship in the slightest way, helped lift a weight off of my shoulders.

Cayden gently rested her hand on my cheek. "I promise you're the only one I want Avina. I'm in love with you and only you."

I nodded my heart growing warm at her straightforward statement. "I believe you, I think it was just all a lot and the conversation escalated."

"I agree completely," she said, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Which leads me to bring up the trust topic..." she trailed off, pursing her lips. "Do you trust me?"

I stayed silent, contemplating my answer. As Jade said, Cayden hasn't given me a reason to not trust her. She might've given me mixed signals before we began dating, but after that, she was fully present. I just think I have trust issues in general—none that are tailored to her.

"Yes I trust you," I said. "But I think I have unresolved trust issues? I don't know, with everything that's happened and so many people leaving along with being yelled at so many times... it's hard to just throw my trust out there."

Before Cayden could respond, I spoke again. "When it seemed like you were taking Zera's side, alarm bells sort of went off in my head. I was..." I trailed off, my throat closing up slightly. "I was scared you were going to leave me. It seemed like you were choosing Zera."

Cayden frowned, her brows furrowing. She pulled me into a deep hug, gently rubbing her hand up and down my spine. "I'm sorry for making you feel like that. And I'm sorry for not clearing up my intentions more," she said. "It was purely my own morals."

I nuzzled deeper into the crook of her neck. "I understand that now. I'm beginning to realize that throwing the drink may have been because Sebastian's behavior rubbed off on me," I said, my voice low and soft. "It's also probably why I raised my voice at you yesterday, which I shouldn't have done."

"No, It's understandable that you'd react certain ways in situations, especially if it's instilled in you to that degree," Cayden said. "But we'll work on it. I'm sure being around me more will help you erase whatever tendencies Sebastian rubbed off on you."

I nodded. "I'm sure it will," I said, and I truly meant it. In fact, I hoped Cayden rubbed off on me fully. She was great at handling tense situations, even if sometimes her communication skills weren't there, she still managed to remain calm and level-headed. "I'm also sorry for suggesting I should stay at Jade's... I think I was running away from the real issues at hand."

I felt Cayden shake her head. "I kind of knew that in the moment, but I didn't want to try and talk you into staying if that wasn't what you wanted to do... I also thought we both might've needed a breather anyways," she said. "Besides, you've been through a lot, so It's understandable that you were trying to run away from the issues we were facing."

I let out a deep sigh, thankful that we discussed this so smoothly and openly. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be. But then again, Cayden made it easier by extending her white flag first and calmly explaining herself without me needing to do much of anything. That was one of the things I loved most about her. She was always so calm and handled things very maturely.

I actually see her viewpoint now on the entire situation and I think her reaction seemed entirely like her. This was just who she was and she never liked escalating things far, even when we were disagreeing, she never raised her voice once at me, and she kept her composure the entire time.

"I still think Zera was wrong for what she said," I said, knowing it still bothered me.

Cayden nodded. "After reaching out to Griffin to get the full story, I texted Zera and expressed that what she said was entirely wrong of her and that she does not get to talk to you like that," she said. "I also told her that she needs to move on since it feels like she's still hung up over our past relationship when I'm moved on and completely in love with someone else."

My heart fluttered in my chest, knowing Cayden stood up for me. "You really said that?"

"Of course, Vi. I could've handled it like that in the first place, even without the drink-throwing," she said. "I realized I didn't hear your full explanation out yesterday, so I didn't even get to hear what she said and I'm sorry for that. Regardless, I was going to stick up for you, I just didn't condone your reaction and I needed to voice that to you first."

"And voicing it to me led to me staying at Jade's..." I said, trailing off. "So you never got the full story from me."

"Yeah, but it's okay, Griffin came in clutch with the tea," Cayden said, laughing.

I laughed, knowing he probably gave her the full run down. "I bet he did."

Cayden pulled back, gently guiding me by my chin to meet her eyes, "Can I have a kiss?" she asked, looking down at my lips. "I feel so deprived—I don't think I've ever gone this long without kissing you."

I chuckled, leaning in to press my lips to hers. The kiss was warm, and I felt myself melting fully into it. Her lips were so soft, and her body felt so warm pressed against mine. When I finally pulled back from the deep kiss, Cayden groaned.

"More," she said, guiding our lips back together.

I knew makeup sex was in store for us, and I was definitely ready to go rounds.